A usual episode of Meniere's Disease may begin with one ear feeling full, with hearing fluctuations or hearing different high-pitched ringing sounds. Other symptoms eventually follow such as vertigo or dizziness, lack of balance, nausea and vomiting. On the average a single episode can last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. Clusters can also occur within that timeframe. Other symptoms include short shocks, sudden falls and unsteadiness. After episodes especially severe ones, patients feel very tired and need to rest and sleep for several hours.

Meniere's Disease attacks are incapacitating and unpredictable. Some cases may be very severe lasting for a number of days. Hearing may get better after an episode but later on becomes worse. Sounds will seem distorted or tinny for patients while others may experience hyperacusis or unusual sensitivity to sounds. Other uncommon symptoms include nystagmus or jerky eye movements, pulsion or feeling of being pushed or pulled, brain fog and depression.

During an attack or once vertigo starts, the patient should be laid down on a firm surface while fixing his or her eyes on a stationary object or point. Water should be avoided to prevent vomiting. The patient should wait for the symptoms to subside and disappear before slowly getting up. Sleep is needed to treat exhaustion.

The treatment approach focuses on helping patients deal with immediate symptoms as well as prevent recurrence. Vestibular training, stress reduction, medication, hearing aids and tinnitus-alleviating methods are employed. A special diet should also be followed to reduce the possibility of recurrence. Patients are put on a low-sodium diet taking aspartame and lipoflavonoid and staying away from caffeine, tobacco and alcohol.

Medications may also be provided to help reduce inner ear pressure such as diuretics, antihistamines, steroids, anti-herpes like Acyclovir and anticholinergics. Surgical means may also be employed such as labyrinthectomy. This involves removing the inner ear, vestibular neurectomy which involves cutting the nerve leading to the balance region of the inner ear or surgically decompressing the endolymphatic sac. Chemical labyrinthectomy involves surgically destroying the balance region of the inner ear if only a single ear is affected.